U.S. patent number 8,297,988 [Application Number 12/735,197] was granted by the patent office on 2012-10-30 for plate-like terminals mounting structure.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Yazaki Corporation. Invention is credited to Kazuomi Kiyosue, Akinori Nakashima, Hiroki Shiraiwa, Tomohiro Sugiura, Minoru Umezaki, Noriyoshi Yamazaki.
United States Patent |
8,297,988 |
Sugiura , et al. |
October 30, 2012 |
Plate-like terminals mounting structure
Abstract
A plate-like terminal mounting structure is configured to attach
a plurality of plate-like terminals in multiple tiers to a terminal
holder for facilitated and effective positioning of the terminals
in the terminal holder and prevention of undesirable impacts of the
terminals upon a connection between the terminals and a circuit
board. The terminal holder includes a plurality of ribs tapering
toward their tips and parallel to each other. The terminal includes
a recessed portions or holes for engaging the plate-like terminals
with the ribs in a regular mounting position without gap left
therebetween. The rib includes sloping surfaces on its four sides
(front, rear, right, and left sides). The terminal holder includes
a partition wall separating the terminals from each other, the
partition wall being in one piece with the ribs. The plate-like
terminals are arranged in multiple tiers in a height direction of
the ribs. The recessed portion or the hole of the terminal in a
lower tier is large, and the recessed portion or the hole of the
terminal in the upper tier is small depending on tapering of the
ribs.
Inventors: |
Sugiura; Tomohiro (Shizuoka,
JP), Shiraiwa; Hiroki (Shizuoka, JP),
Kiyosue; Kazuomi (Shizuoka, JP), Nakashima;
Akinori (Shizuoka, JP), Yamazaki; Noriyoshi
(Shizuoka, JP), Umezaki; Minoru (Shizuoka,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Yazaki Corporation (Tokyo,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
40801074 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/735,197 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2008 |
PCT
Filed: |
December 12, 2008 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP2008/072659 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
August 30, 2010 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2009/081768 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
July 02, 2009 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20100317241 A1 |
Dec 16, 2010 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Dec 21, 2007 [JP] |
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2007-329990 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
439/76.2;
439/79 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
9/245 (20130101); H01R 9/2466 (20130101); H01R
2201/26 (20130101); H01H 85/2035 (20130101); H01H
2085/2085 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
12/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;439/76.2,79 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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01-142169 |
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Sep 1989 |
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JP |
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1-142169 |
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Sep 1989 |
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JP |
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10-145941 |
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May 1998 |
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JP |
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2001-008332 |
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Jan 2001 |
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JP |
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2006-333583 |
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Dec 2006 |
|
JP |
|
Other References
International Search Report dated Mar. 3, 2009, issued on
PCT/JP2008/072659. cited by other .
Notification of Reason for Refusal issued Jun. 26, 2012 for
corresponding Japanese Application No. 2007-329990 with English
translation. cited by other.
|
Primary Examiner: Vu; Hien
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A plate-like terminal mounting structure constructed to connect
a plurality of plate-like terminals in parallel with each other in
a terminal holder, the improvement wherein the terminal holder
includes a plurality of tapering ribs arranged in parallel with
each other, and the plate-like terminals each include a recessed
portion or a hole configured to be brought into engagement with
corresponding each of the ribs without a gap left therebetween in a
regular mounting position of the plate-like terminals, wherein the
terminal holder includes at least a partition wall separating the
plate-like terminals from each other, the partition wall being in
one piece with the ribs and being perpendicular to the plate-like
terminals; and each of the plate-like terminals is bent
substantially in an L-shape, one plate portion of each of the
plate-like terminals being supported by the rib, an other plate
portion thereof being inserted into the hole of the terminal
holder, and a near-bending portion of the one plate portion being
supported by an end wall of the hole.
2. The plate-like terminal mounting structure and the improvement
therein according to claim 1, wherein the ribs each include sloping
surfaces at front, rear, left, and right sides thereof.
3. The plate-like terminal mounting structure and the improvement
therein according to claim 1, wherein the plate-like terminals are
arranged in multiple tiers heightwise of the ribs, and the recessed
portion or the hole of each of the plate-like terminals belonging
to a lower-tier has a dimension corresponding to tapering of the
rib, and the recessed portion or the hole of each of the plate-like
terminals belonging to an upper-tier is smaller in proportion to
the tapering of the rib than those of the plate-like terminals
belonging to the lower tier.
4. The plate-like terminal mounting structure and the improvement
therein according to claim 3, wherein the holes of each of the
plate-like terminals belonging to an uppermost-tier are each
brought into engagement with corresponding each of extended tips of
the ribs.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a mounting structure of a
plurality of plate-like terminals that allows connection of the
plate-like terminals to a terminal holder with accurate positioning
of the terminals, the plate-like terminals used to connect, for
example, a fuse to a circuit board.
BACKGROUND ART
FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a junction block having
conventional plate-like terminals (see the patent literature PTL
1).
The plate-like terminals 76 are made by a conductive metal plate
bent substantially in an L-shape by punching, and are arranged in
multiple tiers (stages) in a terminal holder 78 (block body) made
of insulating resin. The terminal holder 78 includes fuse
accommodating chambers 77a in upper and lower tiers in a first half
of the terminal holder 78, the chambers 77a serving as a fuse
holder, and in its second half a terminal insertion hole. A
diapason-like clamping terminal portion on one end of the
plate-like terminal 76 protrudes from the terminal insertion hole
toward the fuse accommodating chamber 77a, and a pin-like terminal
portion on the other end of the plate-like terminal 76 is inserted
into a hole (throughhole) of a circuit board 73 and is
solder-connected thereto. A fuse block 77 is constituted by the
terminal holder 78, the plate-like terminals 76, and the fuse.
A junction block 71 includes, in addition to the fuse block 77, the
circuit board 73 incorporating various electronic components 72 and
a connector block 75 connected to terminals 74 on the right and
left sides of the circuit board 73. The circuit board 73 and the
blocks 75, 77 are covered and protected by upper and lower covers
(not-shown) with the side of the openings 75a, 77a of the blocks
75, 77 exposed to an outside.
As the plate-like terminals, in addition to the substantially
L-shaped terminals 76, a comb-like terminal having clamping
terminals parallel to each other is used (not shown). A power
supply connector 80 is provided in one piece with the terminal
holder 78, the connector 80 accommodating a side of the
bus-bar-like plate-like terminal.
Blade-like fuses (not shown) is attached to the upper and lower
accommodating chambers 77a in parallel with each other in a
horizontal direction. In correspondence to the upper and lower
terminals, clamping terminals of the upper and lower plate-like
terminals 76 are attached to an inside of the upper and lower
accommodating chambers 77a. Power supply from a battery or an
alternator is input to the connector 80.
In the above patent literature PTL 1, there is also shown an
example of the mounting structure for the plate-like terminals, in
which the terminal holder 78 is provided as a component separate
from the fuse holder and the plate-like terminals 76 of each tier
are attached in a vertically extending groove from above and
horizontally. The circuit board 73 has at its intermediate portion
in its thickness direction a copper core tier (not shown).
Another exemplary conventional mounting structure of the plate-like
terminals (not shown) in the patent literature PTL 2 has a
configuration in which a positioning groove is notched in a wide
plate-like terminal (bus bar) having tab terminal portions in
parallel with each other in multiple rows for connection of fusible
link portion, and a projection is provided in a surface of a bottom
wall of a box-shaped block body vertically accommodating the
plate-like terminals.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
PTL 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.
2006-333583 (FIG. 6, FIGS. 1 and 2) PTL 2: Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-8332 (FIG. 2)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Technical Problem
In the case of the conventional mounting structure of the
plate-like terminal disclosed in the patent literature PTL 1, it is
not easy to provide accurate positioning of the plate-like
terminals 76 in the multiple tiers to the terminal holder. If the
plate-like terminal 76 is deviated from its intended position,
connection of the terminal to the fuse may not be smoothly
achieved.
Also, as the fuse is connected to and detached from (inserted into
and taken out of) the plate-like terminals, a force acting in the
event of insertion and detachment may be transferred to a soldered
connection between the plate-like terminal and the circuit board,
and as a result the soldered connection may have to endure
undesirable complication.
These drawbacks may be found even when the plate-like terminals 76
are arranged not in multiple tiers but only in a single tier. Also,
these drawbacks may also be observed in a case where connection is
made to electrical components such as a fusible link and a relay
other than the fuse or in a case where the plate-like terminals are
used in a connector instead of the fuse block.
In view of the above-identified problem, an object of the present
invention is to provide a plate-like terminal mounting structure
that is capable of readily and accurately positioning the
plate-like terminals in the terminal holder and providing
connection with the electrical components such as the fuse smoothly
and effectively without deviation of the terminals from their
intended positioning, and preventing undesirable impacts of the
plate-like terminal upon the circuit board in the course of
connecting and detaching of the electrical components such as the
fuse.
Solution to Problem
In order to attain the above objective, the plate-like terminal
mounting structure of the plate-like terminal of a first aspect of
the present invention is constructed to connect a plurality of
plate-like terminals in parallel with each other to a terminal
holder, and the terminal holder includes a plurality of tapering
ribs arranged in parallel with each other, and the plate-like
terminals each include a recessed portion or a hole configured to
be brought into engagement with corresponding each of the ribs
without a gap left therebetween in a regular mounting position of
the plate-like terminals.
In the above-described configuration, in a state where the
plate-like terminal intersects the rib, the recessed portion or the
hole of the plate-like terminal is brought into engagement with the
tapering rib without the gap therebetween (an internal edge or end
face of the recessed portion or the hole abuts on the outer sloping
surface of the tapered the rib) at a predetermined attachment
position of the plate-like terminal in the height direction, and
further movement of the plate-like terminals with respect to the
ribs in the height direction (movement toward larger-diameter
direction of the rib) is prevented, so that the plate-like
terminals are provisionally secured by the terminal holder to be
positioned with accuracy.
Also, the rectangular recessed portion or the hole of the
plate-like terminals are brought into engagement with the
cross-sectionally rectangular rib without any gap left
therebetween, so that the oscillation of the plate-like terminal in
a front-to-rear and right-to-left directions is prevented, and an
insertion/detachment force when connecting/detaching the electrical
component such as fuse to/from the plate-like terminal is
accommodated by the rib, excessive stress load upon the connecting
portion (soldered connection with the circuit board) of the
plate-like terminal as opposed to the fuse is prevented. The
recessed portion is provided at the both sides of the plate-like
terminal, and the hole is provided at an intermediate portion of
the plate-like terminal in the thickness direction.
The mounting structure of the plate-like terminal according to a
second aspect of the resent invention is the mounting structure of
the plate-like terminal according to the first aspect, wherein the
ribs each include sloping surfaces at front, rear, left, and right
sides of the ribs.
According to the above-described configuration, inner end surfaces
on three sides of the recessed portion of the plate-like terminal
and inner end surfaces on four sides of the rectangular hole of the
plate-like terminal are brought into abutment and engagement with
the front, rear, right, and left sloping surfaces of the rib
without any gap left therebetween. Accordingly, oscillation and
positional deviation of the plate-like terminals in front-to-rear
and right-to-left directions are effectively prevented. Also,
displacement of the plate-like terminals while insertion/detachment
of the electrical component such as the fuse is effectively
prevented.
The mounting structure of the plate-like terminal according to a
third aspect of the present invention is the mounting structure of
the plate-like terminal of the first or second aspect, wherein the
terminal holder includes a partition wall separating the plate-like
terminals from each other, the partition wall being in one piece
with the ribs.
With the above-described configuration, the rib is coupled to the
partition wall with improved stiffness of the rib, preventing
flexure of the rib. It is possible for the rib to accommodate the
insertion/detachment force in insertion and detachment of the
electrical component such as the fuse more effectively. Also,
prying force in insertion/detachment of the electrical component
also help prevent positional deviation of the plate-like
terminals.
The mounting structure of the plate-like terminal of a fourth
aspect of the present invention is the plate-like terminal mounting
structure according to any one of the first to third aspects,
wherein the plate-like terminals are arranged in multiple tiers
heightwise of the ribs, and the recessed portion or the hole of
each of the plate-like terminals belonging to a lower-tier has a
dimension corresponding to tapering of the rib, and the recessed
portion or the hole of each of the plate-like terminals belonging
to an upper-tier is smaller in proportion to the tapering of the
rib than those of the plate-like terminals belonging to the lower
tier.
According to the above-described configuration, the plate-like
terminals are arranged in multiple tiers in a longitudinal
direction (height direction) of the tapering ribs, and the recessed
portion or the hole of the multiple-tiered plate-like terminals are
each brought into engagement with the ribs without occurrence of
oscillation, so that the multi-tiered plate-like terminals are
provisionally secured to the terminal holder to be positioned
accurately. Also, small recessed portion or the hole of the
upper-tier plate-like terminals cannot be brought into engagement
with the rib in the mounting position of the plate-like terminal of
the lower-tier, so that the erroneous mounting of the upper-tiered
the plate-like terminals to the terminal holder is prevented.
The mounting structure of the plate-like terminal according to a
fifth aspect of the present invention is the plate-like terminal
mounting structure according to the fourth aspect, wherein the
holes of each of the plate-like terminals belonging to an
uppermost-tier are each brought into engagement with corresponding
each of extended tips of the ribs.
According to the above-described configuration, the plate-like
terminals wider than the lower-tiered terminals are arranged in the
uppermost-tier. Some of the ribs engaged with the recessed portion
of the lower-tiered plate-like terminals are extended. The extended
tips are brought into engagement with the holes of the plate-like
terminals belonging to the uppermost-tier so that the plate-like
terminals belonging to an uppermost-tier are positioned. The
uppermost-tiered plate-like terminals are partitioned by an end of
some of the extended partition walls among the partition walls.
The mounting structure of the plate-like terminal according to a
sixth aspect of the present invention is the plate-like terminal
mounting structure according to any one of the first to fifth
aspects, wherein each of the plate-like terminals is bent
substantially in an L-shape, one plate portion of each of the
plate-like terminals being supported by the rib, an other plate
portion thereof being inserted into the hole of the terminal
holder, and a near-bending portion of the one plate portion being
supported by an end wall of the hole.
According to the above-described configuration, the other plate
portion of the substantially L-shaped plate-like terminal is
inserted into the hole of the terminal holder and the one plate
portion thereof is supported and positioned by the rib. The
near-bending portion of the one plate portion abuts on the end wall
of the hole of the terminal holder and is supported thereby, stably
supported at two points, i.e., by the end wall of the hole and the
tapered rib. The other plate portion is connected to the circuit
board, and the electrical component such as the fuse is connected
to the one plate portion.
Advantageous Effects of the Invention
According to the invention of the first aspect, when the plate-like
terminals are attached to the terminal holder, since the recessed
portion or the hole of the plate-like terminal is brought into
engagement with the tapering rib of the terminal holder, it is
possible to position the plate-like terminals readily and
accurately. It is also possible to provide connection between the
plate-like terminals and the electrical component such as the fuse
smoothly and effectively without positional deviation of the
terminals.
Also, tapered the rib of the terminal holder is brought into
engagement with the recessed portion or the hole of the plate-like
terminal without occurrence of the oscillation terminals therein,
so that the insertion/detachment force of the electrical component
such as the fuse is accommodated by the ribs and transfer of the
force to the connecting portion between the plate-like terminals
and the circuit board is prevented, so that the reliability of the
electrical connection to the circuit board is increased.
According to the invention of the second aspect, positional
deviation and oscillation of the plate-like terminal in four
directions can be effectively prevented, and the
insertion/detachment force of the electrical component such as the
fuse is effectively accommodated by the ribs, so that the transfer
of the force to the connecting portion connecting the plate-like
terminals to the circuit board and other components incorporated
thereon is effectively prevented.
According to the invention of the third aspect, the
insertion/detachment force of the electrical component such as the
fuse is effectively accommodated by the ribs in one piece with the
partition wall without flexure of the ribs, and thereby undesirable
impacts upon the connecting portion connecting the plate-like
terminals to the circuit board and the other components
incorporated thereon is further effectively prevented.
According to the invention of the fourth aspect, since the multiple
tiered plate-like terminals are attached to the terminal holder to
be brought into engagement with the tapering ribs, positioning of
the plate-like terminals can be readily and accurately achieved.
Also, by bringing the multiple-tiered plate-like terminals into
engagement with the ribs, the insertion/detachment force for the
electrical component such as the fuse is accommodated by the rib,
and thereby the reliability of connection between the
multiple-tiered plate-like terminals and the circuit board and
other components incorporated thereon can be increased. Also, it is
possible to prevent erroneous mounting of the plate-like terminals
that should be attached to lower tier to the upper tier in the
terminal holder.
According to the invention of the fifth aspect, in response to
providing the plate-like terminals wider than that belong to the
lower tier is used in the uppermost tier, the plate-like terminals
belonging to the uppermost-tier is accurately positioned, and it is
possible to increase the reliability of the connecting portion
connecting the plate-k like terminals to the circuit board and
other components incorporated thereon with respect to the
insertion/detachment force of the electrical component such as the
fuse.
According to the invention of the sixth aspect, the plate-like
terminal is stably positioned and supported by two points, i.e.,
the end wall of the hole and the tapered rib of the terminal
holder, and thus the connection and detachment of the electrical
components such as the fuse is performed more smoothly and
effectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mounting structure pf a
plate-like terminal according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the mounting structure
of the plate-like terminal in a state in which the same is being
assembled.
FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the mounting structure
of the plate-like terminal, in which the cross section is taken at
a portion different from that in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the mounting structure of the plate-like
terminal in the second tier.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the mounting structure of the plate-like
terminal in the third tier.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the mounting structure of the plate-like
terminal in the fourth tier.
FIG. 7 is a front view of the mounting structure of the plate-like
terminal of the each tier.
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the terminal block in an assembled
sate which is connected and secured to the circuit board.
FIG. 8B is a side view of the terminal block in the assembled sate
which is connected and secured to the circuit board.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary circuit board
assembly.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary junction
block.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a principal part of a junction
block that includes a conventional mounting structure of a
plate-like terminal.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 Terminal holder 4 to 6 Plate-like terminal 4d-6d Horizontal
portion (the one plate portion) 4e-6e Vertical portion (the other
plate portion) 4d'-6d' Near-bending portion 14 Rib 15 Partition
wall 16-18 Recessed portion 22-24 Gap 25-27 Hole (hole of the
terminal holder) 29, 30 End wall 31 Hole
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 1 to 7 illustrate a mounting structure of plate-like
terminals according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, the reference sign 1 indicates a terminal
holder (block body) made of insulating resin. The reference sign 2
indicates a terminal holder cover (block body) made of insulating
resin. The reference signs 3 to 6 indicate a plurality of
plate-like terminals adapted to be disposed in the terminal holder
1 in multiple tiers (four tiers in this embodiment). The terminal
holder 1 is configured to be secured to a circuit board 7 (FIG. 8).
The circuit board 7, which will be described later. is a component
that belongs to a junction block 8 (FIG. 10), which also will be
described later.
The terminal holder cover 2 is coupled to the terminal holder 1
horizontally from a front to a rear with the plate-like terminals 3
to 6 of the multiple tiers attached to the terminal holder 1. The
plate-like terminal 4 to 6 belonging to the second to fourth tiers
of the terminal holder 1 are inserted into and supported in a
top-to-bottom manner in the terminal's thickness direction. The
plate-like terminal of the first tier, meanwhile, is inserted and
attached in a bottom-to-top manner. The mounting structure of the
plate-like terminals of the present invention is mainly intended
for mounting of the plate-like terminals 4 to 6 belonging to the
second to fourth tiers, wherein the first tier is a lowermost tier
and the fourth tier an uppermost tier. The fuse holder 33 (see FIG.
10) is adapted to be brought into locking with a locking projection
12 of the terminal holder 1.
The terminal holder cover 2 includes (i) a vertically extending
front wall 10 having a horizontal-slit-like hole 9 into which
clamping terminal portions 4a to 6a of the plate-like terminals 4
to 6 of the second to fourth tiers are inserted, (ii) a
horizontally extending upper wall 11 covering the plate-like
terminals 6 belonging to the fourth tier, and (iii) a vertically
extending side walls 13 at right angles to the front wall 10 and
the upper wall 11.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrating cross-sectional views, the
terminal holder 1 includes a plurality of vertically tapered ribs
14 in multiple rows in a terminal alignment direction for
positioning the plate-like terminals 4 to 6 of the second to fourth
tiers.
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the cross-sectionally rectangular ribs 14
are made in one piece at a front end of a vertically extending
partition wall 15 of the terminal holder 1. The thickness of the
rib 14 in its right-to-left direction is larger than that of the
partition wall 15.
As shown in FIG. 2, the ribs 14 are each tapered in a front-to-rear
direction. The ribs 14 each include sloping surfaces 14a on their
front and rear sides. The thickness of the ribs 14 gradually and
linearly decreases toward their tip (an upper end). Also, as shown
in FIGS. 4 to 6, the ribs 14 are each tapered also in the
right-to-left direction. The ribs 14 each include sloping surfaces
14b on their right and left sides, with the width gradually and
linearly decreasing toward their tip (upper end). To sum up, the
ribs 14 each have the front, rear, right, and left sloping surfaces
14a, 14b such that they tapers toward their tips. In FIG. 4, the
reference sign 14c indicates a projection-like top surface (top
face).
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrating the plan views, the
plate-like terminals 4, 5 belonging to the second and third tiers
each have rectangular recessed grooves (recessed portion) 16, 17 on
both sides in the width direction. Widths in the front-to-rear
direction and in the right-to-left direction of the recessed groove
17 of the plate-like terminal 5 (see FIG. 5) belonging to the third
tier are smaller than those of the recessed groove 16 of the
plate-like terminal 4 (see FIG. 4) belonging to the second tier in
the front-to-rear direction and in the right-to-left direction.
The recessed grooves 16, 17 of the plate-like terminals 4, 5 of
these tiers are each brought into engagement with the tapered rib
14 without any gap therebetween (and accordingly without any
oscillation therein) in a normal position of the plate-like
terminals 4, 5 of these tiers in a height direction (it should be
noted that the enlarged view includes a gap only for the sake of
explanation). This construction prevents further downward movement
of the plate-like terminals 4, 5 of these tiers so as to define the
positioning of the plate-like terminals 4, 5 in the height
direction.
Thus, the plate-like terminals 4, 5 can be inserted smoothly into
the hole 9 of the terminal holder cover 2 (see FIG. 1) without
positional deviation, and a terminal of the later-described fuse
can be connected to the plate-like terminals 4, 5 smoothly and
effectively without positional deviation. The plate-like terminals
6 belonging to the sixth-tier will be described later.
Also, the front and rear inner end faces of the recessed grooves
16, 17 of the plate-like terminals 4, 5 abut on the front and rear
sloping surfaces 14a of the ribs 14, and thereby oscillation and
positional deviation of the plate-like terminals 4, 5 in the
front-to-rear direction (corresponding to the direction of
insertion/detachment of the fuse) are prevented, and thus a fuse
insertion/detachment force is prevented from being transferred to a
soldered connection 19 (see FIG. 8) connecting the plate-like
terminals 4, 5 to the circuit board 7 (see FIG. 8). Also, the right
and left inner end faces of the recessed grooves 16, 17 of the
plate-like terminals 4, 5 are brought into abutment on the sloping
surfaces 14b of the rib 14, and thereby oscillation and positional
deviation of the plate-like terminals 4, 5 in the right-to-left
direction (corresponding to the terminal's width direction or
alignment direction) are prevented.
The ribs 14 are made in one piece with the front end of the
partition wall 15. The partition wall 15 continues at right angles
to a bottom wall 20 and a rear wall 21 of the terminal holder 1.
Accordingly, the rib 14 is protected against being bent, with
improved stiffness of the ribs 14, and it is possible to
accommodate the force acting in the front-to-rear and right-to-left
directions of the plate-like terminals in the insertion/detachment
of the fuse.
In the same manner as in the tapering of the ribs 14, the partition
wall 15 may be tapered in the thickness direction with respect to
the plate-like terminals 4, 5 belonging to the second and third
tiers, with sloping surfaces 15a (see FIG. 4) defined on its right
and left sides, and with its thickness gradually decreasing from a
lower end of the partition wall 15 toward an upper end thereof.
In this case, a gap 23 (see FIG. 5) between a mutually adjacent
pair of the plate-like terminals 5 of the third tier will be
smaller than a gap 22 (see FIG. 4) between a mutually adjacent pair
of the plate-like terminals 4 belonging to the second tier. In the
normal position of the plate-like terminals 4, 5 with reference to
the height direction, both side ends of the plate-like terminals 4,
5 are brought into abutment on the tapered partition wall 15
without a gap therebetween (and accordingly without oscillation
therein). It should be noted that the enlarged view includes the
gap only for the sake of explanation. By virtue of this, further
downward movement of the plate-like terminals 4, 5 of these tiers
is prevented. Also, in synergy with the tapered ribs 14, the
positioning in the height direction of the terminals is defined,
and positional deviation (oscillation) of the plate-like terminals
4, 5 in its width (right-to-left) direction is prevented.
The plate-like terminal 4, 5 belonging to the second and third
tiers is bent substantially in an L-shape. With reference to the
bent portions 4c, 5c, diapason-like clamping terminal portion 4a
for fuse connection is provided in the front end side of the thin
and elongated the horizontal portion (the one plate portion) 4d. A
pin-like terminal 4b, 5b (FIG. 2) for connection of the circuit
board is provided in the lower end side of the thin elongated
vertical portion (the other plate portion) 4e, 5e (FIG. 3). The
recessed grooves 16, 17 are provided on both sides of the
horizontal portion 4d, 5d.
The vertical portions 4e, 5e have a width smaller than that of the
horizontal portions 4d, 5d. Near-bending portions 4d', 5d' (see
FIGS. 3 to 5) of the horizontal portions 4d, 5d each continue to
the vertical portions 4e, 5e, respectively, and has a thin
elongated shape. The vertical portions 4e, 5e are each inserted
into and passed through holes 25, 26 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the
terminal holder 1, respectively, from above in the vertical
direction, with a lower surface of the near-bending portions 4d',
5d' of the horizontal portions 4d, 5d are brought into abutment
upon the upper surface of the front end walls 28, 29 (FIGS. 3 and
4) of the holes 25, 26, respectively. The horizontal portions 4d,
5d are stably positioned and supported by two points, i.e., by the
front end wall 28, 29 and by the rib 14 residing in a front region
relative to the front end wall 28, 29. If the partition wall is
tapered, the positioning is kept in a stable state by virtue of
three points, i.e., by the front end wall 28, 29, the rib 14, and
the both-side partition walls 15.
The rear end wall of the hole 26 for insertion of the plate-like
terminal 6 of the third tier serves as part of the vertical rear
wall 21 of the terminal holder 1, and the partition walls 15
protrude frontward from the rear wall 21. The front end wall 29
(see FIG. 4) of the hole 26 is divided into right and left regions
by a central slit 29a. In FIG. 4, the hole 25 into which the
plate-like terminal 4 of the second tier is inserted has a shape
similar to that of the hole 26 into which the plate-like terminal 5
of the third tier is inserted.
As shown in FIG. 6, mainly, the plate-like terminal 6 belonging to
the fourth tier is wide in the right-to-left direction and has a
plurality of clamping terminal portions 6a in one piece therewith.
The clamping terminal portions 6a are juxtaposed to each other. A
rectangular (horizontally elongated) hole 31 is provided at a
horizontal portion 6d (a one plate portion). In the example
illustrated in FIG. 6, only one plate-like terminal 6' having the
same thin elongated shape as the plate-like terminals 4, 5 of the
lower-tiers is used. In the plate-like terminals 6', in the same
manner as in the case of the plate-like terminals 4, 5 of the
lower-tiers, a recessed groove 18 is positioned and supported by
the rib 14.
An internal width of the hole 31 in the front-to-rear and
right-to-left directions is smaller than the outer width of the rib
14 in the front-to-rear and right-to-left directions, the rib 14
corresponding to the plate-like terminals 4, 5 belonging to the
second and third tiers. In the normal position of the plate-like
terminal 6 belonging to the fourth tier, the normal position being
defined in the height direction, an inner surface of the hole 31
abuts on the sloping surface 14a, 14b of the tip of the tapered rib
14 without any gap therebetween (or oscillation therein). It should
be noted that the enlarged view includes a gap for the sake of
explanation). The plate-like terminals 6 belonging to the fourth
tier is prevented from moving any further downward, so that
positioning in the height direction of the terminals is determined,
positional deviation of the plate-like terminal 6 in the
front-to-rear and right-to-left directions is prevented, and the
force in insertion and detachment of the fuse is accommodated by
the ribs 14, so that it is possible to prevent the fuse
insertion/detachment force from being transferred to the soldered
connection 19 connecting the terminals to the circuit board 7 (see
FIG. 8).
The ribs 14 supporting the plate-like terminals 6 belonging to the
fourth tier is the same as the ribs that positions the plate-like
terminals 4, 5 belonging to the second and third tiers. The rib 14
corresponding to the hole 31 of the plate-like terminals 6
belonging to the fourth tier protrudes slightly longer (higher)
than the other ribs (i.e., the rib 14 that does not support the
plate-like terminal 6 belonging to the fourth tier).
If the partition wall 15 is tapered, the upper end portion of the
partition wall 15 passed between the plate-like terminals 4, 5 of
the second and third tiers is brought into engagement between each
ones of the plate-like terminals 6 of the fourth tier without any
gap therebetween, so that each of the plate-like terminals 6
belonging to the fourth tier is stably positioned and supported
without oscillation in the right-to-left direction. The width of
the upper end portion of the partition wall 15 is smaller than that
of the intermediate portion of the partition wall corresponding to
the plate-like terminals 5 belonging to the third tier. The gap 24
between the plate-like terminals 6 belonging to the fourth tier has
a width smaller than that of the gap 23 between the plate-like
terminals 5 belonging to the third tier.
The plate-like terminals 6 belonging to the fourth tier, in the
same manner as in the case of the plate-like terminals 4, 5
belonging to the second to third tiers, are likewise bent
substantially in an L-shape. A wide horizontal portion 6d and a
narrow vertical portion 6e (see FIG. 3) are provided on both sides
with respect to the bent portion 6c. A clamping terminal 6a is
provided on the front side of the horizontal portion 6e. A pin-like
terminal 6b (see FIG. 2) for the circuit board connection is
provided on its lower end side of the vertical portion 6e.
Further, the vertical portion 6e is inserted into and passed
through the hole 27 of the terminal holder 1, and the near-bending
portion 6d' (see FIG. 3) of the horizontal portion 6d abuts against
an upper surface of the front end wall 30 (end wall) of the hole 27
and is supported by the same. A frame-like hole 27 is arranged at a
rear side of the rear wall 21 of the terminal holder 1. A tab
terminal portion 32 for power supply protrudes on a lateral end of
the plate-like terminal 6 belonging to the fourth tier. The tab
terminal portion 32 is inserted into a connector housing 34 facing
a lateral side of the fuse holder 33 (see FIG. 1) to serve as a
connector for power supply. In the specification, the definition of
the directions such as vertical, horizontal, front-to-rear, and
right-to-left, is only for the sake of explanation, which does not
necessarily corresponds to the mounting direction in which the
junction block 8 (see FIG. 10) is mounted.
Referring to FIG. 7 illustrating the plan view of the assembly 35
incorporating the plate-like terminals 3 to 6 and the terminal
holder 1, the horizontal portion 6d of the plate-like terminal 6
belonging to the fourth tier is arranged along the upper surface of
the terminal holder 1. The upper end portion (also indicated by the
reference sign 14c) of the tapered rib 14 of the terminal holder 1
slightly protrudes from the plate-like terminal 6 belonging to the
fourth tier. The horizontal portions 4d, 5d (clamping terminal
portion) of the plate-like terminals 4, 5 belonging to the second
to third tiers are arranged on an intermediate portion of the
terminal holder 1 in its height direction to be opposed to each
other on its upper and lower side. A bus-bar-like wide horizontal
portion 3d of the plate-like terminal 3 belonging to the first tier
is arranged along the bottom surface of the terminal holder 1.
Each of the pin-like terminals 3b to 6b each continuing to the
vertical portions 3e to 6e of the plate-like terminals 3 to 6
protrudes in a space downward of the terminal holder 1. The
terminal block 36 and the power source block are constituted by the
terminal holder 1, the plate-like terminals 3 to 6 of the multiple
tiers, and the terminal holder cover 2 of FIG. 1.
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the vertical pin-like terminals 3b to
6b of the plate-like terminals 3, 6 are inserted into small holes
37 (throughhole) of the circuit board 7 and solder-connected
thereto, so that a lowermost surface of the terminal holder 1 abuts
on the upper surface of the circuit board 7 to be supported
thereby. The pin-like terminals 3b to 6b of the plate-like
terminals 3 to 6 belonging to first to four tiers are arranged from
a front to a rear at intervals (see FIG. 2). The circuit board 7
includes at its intermediate portion in its thickness direction an
electrically-conductive metal core tier (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 9, the terminal block 36 is arranged upon a
frontal area of the circuit board 7, the connector blocks 38 are
arranged on a right area and a left area of the circuit board 7. A
plurality of relays 39 are arranged on the circuit board 7 to
reside between the connector blocks 38. A connector 40 dedicated to
connection of the circuit board 7 to a control unit is arranged at
a rear end of the circuit board 7. This is an example and the
arrangement of the components 36, 38 to 40 can be defined as
required.
As shown in FIG. 10, in a state where the terminal block 36 and the
circuit board 7 are top-to-bottom inverted, the outer cover 41 made
of insulating resin is arranged in an upper space, and the inner
cover 42 made of insulating resin is arranged in a lower space, the
fuse holder 33 made of insulating resin is arranged at a front side
of the terminal block 36, and the fuse holder 33 is coupled to the
terminal block 36. The clamping terminal portions 3a to 6a of the
plate-like terminals 3 to 6 are each accommodated in a fuse
accommodating chamber 43 of the fuse holder 33. Blade-like fuses 45
are inserted into upper and lower tiers in the fuse accommodating
chamber 43 and connected to the clamping terminal portions 3a to 6a
to constitute the fuse block 44. The lower-tier fuses are connected
to the plate-like terminals 3, 4 belonging to the first and second
tiers. The upper-tier fuses are connected to the plate-like
terminals 5, 6 belonging to the third and fourth tiers.
The fuse block 44 and the connector block 38 are covered by the
upper and lower covers 41, 42 with the opening side exposed to an
outside, so that the circuit board 7 and the relays 39 are
accommodated in the covers 41, 42. The inner cover 42 is secured to
a body of a vehicle by means of a not-shown bracket.
Although the above-described embodiment includes the plate-like
terminals 3 to 6 arranged in a four-tiered fashion, the embodiment
is not limited to such four-tiered configuration. The tapered rib
14 can also serve its purpose when the plate-like terminals are
arranged according to more-than-four-tiered configuration and
less-than-four-tiered configuration (including single-tiered
configuration).
Also, in the above-described embodiment, the narrow plate-like
terminals 4, 5 are arranged in the second to third tiers and the
wide plate-like terminals 6 in the fourth tier. If the partition
wall 15 is not used, for example, it is possible to provide the
second tier or the third tier with the wide plate-like terminals,
and the fourth tier with the narrow plate-like terminals.
Also, in the above-described embodiment, the plate-like terminals 3
to 6 connected to the circuit board 7 are mainly explained. In
place of the circuit board 7, it is possible to apply the invention
in the context of the plate-like terminals, which constitutes the
connector, arranged in the terminal holder of a connector housing
(not shown). In this case, tab terminal portions (not shown) in
place of the clamping terminal portions 3a to 6a will be found at a
tip of the plate-like terminals. The shape and dimension of the
plate-like terminals 3 to 6 is not limited to the
"substantially-L-shape-bent" type, and may extend linearly.
Also, the clamping terminal portions 3a to 6a are intended to be
used for inserting and connecting the tab terminal of the fuse. A
terminal portion having a different geometry may be provided for
connection of a relay and a fusible link as the electrical
components instead of the fuse.
Also, in the above-described embodiment, the holder cover 2 is
attached to the terminal holder 1 of FIG. 1. The holder cover 2 may
be eliminated and in place thereof the fuse holder 33 may be used.
Also, in a state where the plate-like terminals 3 to 6 are
connected to the circuit board 7, the plate-like terminals 3 to 6
may be connected to the fuse without using the holder cover 2.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The plate-like terminal mounting structure of the present invention
is capable of accurate positioning of the plate-like terminals with
respect to the holder and smooth and effective connection of the
plate-like terminals to an electrical component such as a fuse
without positional deviation of the terminals. The mounting
structure allows single-tiered arrangement as well as
multiple-tiered arrangement of the plate-like terminals. The
plate-like terminals may be connected to electrical components
other than the fuse, such as a fusible link and a relay. The
plate-like terminals may be used in a connector in place of the
fuse block.
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